The short answer: the best Sweet 16 songs right now mix new hits like HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan, Abracadabra by Lady Gaga and It’s OK I’m OK by Tate McRae with party classics like Party in the U.S.A., Uptown Funk and the Cha Cha Slide. For the grand entrance, pick a big confident song such as Crazy in Love by Beyoncé or Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. Below you will find 50 party songs plus picks for the entrance, the candle lighting and the father daughter dance.
Updated September 2026 by the DJ team at Angels Music Productions in Los Angeles.
Turning 16 is a big deal, and the music is what makes the party. The right playlist gets a room full of teens dancing and still keeps parents and grandparents happy. We have played more than 1,000 events in Los Angeles since 2015, including many Sweet 16 parties, and these are the songs that keep the dance floor full.
The 50 Best Sweet 16 Songs for 2027
- No Broke Boys by Disco Lines and Tinashe
- OMG! by Tiësto and Sexyy Red
- Get Him Back! by Olivia Rodrigo
- Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna
- Miles on It by Marshmello and Kane Brown
- 22 by Taylor Swift
- Give Me Everything by Pitbull featuring NeYo
- California Gurls by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg
- I Love It by Icona Pop
- Dynamite by Taio Cruz
- Hotel Room Service by Pitbull
- Low by Flo Rida featuring T Pain
- You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift
- Lip Gloss by Lil Mama
- I’m Good (Blue) by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha
- Beautiful People by David Guetta and Sia
- God’s Plan by Drake
- Blessings by Calvin Harris featuring Clementine Douglas
- Firework by Katy Perry
- Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
- Shower by Becky G
- Die Young by Kesha
- What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
- Industry Baby by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow
- Abracadabra by Lady Gaga
- It’s OK I’m OK by Tate McRae
- Strangers by Kenya Grace
- HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan
- Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
- That’s So True by Gracie Abrams
- Nokia by Drake
- Just Wanna Rock by Lil Uzi Vert
- Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) by Katy Perry
- Starships by Nicki Minaj
- I Like It by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin
- Hey Ya! by OutKast
- Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2 by PinkPantheress and Ice Spice
- Cake by the Ocean by DNCE
- Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
- Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
- Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
- Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus
- Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
- Wannabe by Spice Girls
- Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
- In Da Club by 50 Cent
- One Dance by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla
- Dancing Queen by ABBA
- Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
- Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
We play clean radio edits of every song for a teen crowd.
Sweet 16 Entrance Songs
The grand entrance is the moment everyone has their phones out. Pick a song with a big, confident start, and ask your DJ to begin at the chorus or the drop so the energy hits the second the doors open. Our favorites:
- Crazy in Love by Beyoncé featuring Jay Z
- Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
- Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
- Confident by Demi Lovato
- Flowers by Miley Cyrus
- Birthday by Katy Perry
- Good as Hell by Lizzo
- HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan
- Houdini by Dua Lipa
- Unstoppable by Sia
- Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
- All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled
Many Sweet 16s now have a surprise dance with friends right after the entrance. If you plan one, send your DJ the exact edit you rehearsed with, so the timing matches on the night.
Sweet 16 Candle Lighting Songs
At many Sweet 16 parties, family and friends are called up to light 16 candles, and each group gets a short song. Simple picks that work:
- Grandparents: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- Parents: Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
- Siblings: Count on Me by Bruno Mars
- Cousins: We Are Family by Sister Sledge
- Aunts and uncles: Lean on Me by Bill Withers
- Best friends: Wannabe by Spice Girls
- The last candle: Forever Young by Alphaville
Keep each song to 30 to 60 seconds. Our MC calls each group up by name, so the candle lighting moves along and nobody is left waiting.
Father Daughter Dance Songs for a Sweet 16
A father daughter dance is a sweet moment at many Sweet 16 parties. Choose a song you both love, and keep it to about two minutes. Songs we are asked for most:
- My Girl by The Temptations
- Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
- Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
- Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
- Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- Daughters by John Mayer
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
For more ideas, see our list of father daughter dance songs.
How Our DJs Plan a Sweet 16 Playlist
Before the party we go over the must play songs, the do not play list and the special moments with you and your teen. Our DJs speak English, Hebrew, Spanish and Persian, which helps at parties that mix Top 40 with Latin, Israeli or Persian hits. Our MC runs the entrance, the candle lighting and the toasts, and we play clean versions for the whole night. Planning a Quinceañera instead? See our Quinceañera DJ page.
Sweet 16 Song FAQs
What are the most popular Sweet 16 songs?
Right now, HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan, Abracadabra by Lady Gaga, It’s OK I’m OK by Tate McRae, I’m Good (Blue), Party in the U.S.A., Uptown Funk and the Cha Cha Slide are some of the most requested.
What is a good Sweet 16 entrance song?
Crazy in Love by Beyoncé, Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter, Run the World (Girls) and Confident by Demi Lovato are all great picks. Ask your DJ to start the song at the chorus.
What song is good for a Sweet 16 father daughter dance?
My Girl by The Temptations, Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle and Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars are popular choices.
What songs are used for the Sweet 16 candle lighting?
Short, meaningful songs for each group, such as What a Wonderful World for grandparents, Count on Me for siblings and Forever Young for the last candle.
How many songs do I need for a Sweet 16 party?
Plan on 15 to 20 songs for every hour of dancing, so about 60 to 80 songs for a 4 hour party. Give your DJ 15 to 25 must play songs and let them fill the rest by reading the room.
Should Sweet 16 music be clean?
Yes. With teens, parents and grandparents in the room, ask for clean radio edits. We play clean versions at every Sweet 16.
Plan Your Sweet 16 Music With Us
A great Sweet 16 playlist has new hits for your friends, a few throwbacks everyone can sing, and special songs for the big moments. Use this list as a starting point, then add the songs that feel like you.
Planning a party in Los Angeles? We can help with a Sweet 16 DJ and MC, a photo booth and lighting and audio visual. Get a free quote.
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